The Mysteries of London, Vol. IV — page 340: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

TIE MYSTERIES OF LONDON, two friends, Dr. Princo and Mr. Spicer, who at his reyuest had drawn up and signed the certificates necessary to procure his introduction into the abodo of Dr. Swinton. Wo must likewise here cbserve that when the short colloquy had occurred between the Doctor and his hoasekeeper, it instantly struck Trevelyan that allusion was made by them to Sir Gilbert Heath- cote as being the individual whose sleeping-place had been changed from No. 7 to No. 12. We had noticed that tho woman had observed a degree of mystery in referring, in the first instance, to the late occupant of tho best bed-room—and that the Doctor, as if fearful that walls had ears, or that even a lunatic (such as he believed Trevelyan to be) might learn a danger- ous secret, had hastily interposed te prevent Mrs. Probert from making a more direct allusion. All ‘ these circumstances induced Trevelyan to conjec- ture that the Jato occupant of his room was none other than Sir Gilbert; and, if this wero the caso, he had acquired the certainty that the baronet was the tenant of a neighbouring apartment in the same corridor. It was now eleven o’clock ; and tho young noble- man resolved to wait until a much later hour ero he took any stops in pursuance of the clue which he believed himself to havo gained rolativo to the chamber occupied by his persecuted friend. He walked to the window, and looked forth through the iron bars, upon the mass of narrow lancs and sgualid alleys constituting the suburb known as Globe Town, and all the features of which were brought vividly forward in the powerful moonlight,—for the atmosphero was as bright as if it were of transparent quicksilver, But in a few minutes, Trevelyan grew wearied of the sameness cf the prospect, so still and inani- mate at that hour; and he began to examine, more minutely than at first, the chamber in which he found kimsclf. A. massive wardrobe of dark mahogany, and ela- borately carved, particularly attracted his notico; and, impelled by that curiosity which fretyucntly seizes upon persons who sock to whilo away an hour or two by any means that opportunity or acci- dent may afford, ho opened the large and heavy doors. There were several shelves inside, filled vith blankets and counterpanes, evidontly deposited thera during the summer-months, when the beds required less clothing than in winter. Trevelyan was about to close the doors, whon ho suddenly caught sight of something that ap- peared to bearoll of papfrs thrust between the blankets. Te drew ferth/the object of his atten- tion, aud found that hid/eonjeenues was correct ; for ho held in his hand a\manuscript consisting of several folios of foolscap vlosoly written upon in a genteel and fluent style. 4. farther examination of the papers showed him, by means of certain dates, that the manuscript was only recently composed; and an indescribable feel- ing of interest, superior to any thing like vulgar curiosity, prompted him toread the documents that had thus strangely fallen into his possession. Besides, he had determined to let a couple of hours slip away ere he took any step in pursuance of the design that had brought him to the mad- house; and he was by no means sorry at having discovered 2 mode of passing the interval otherwise than by restlessly pacing his chamber or gazing from the window. OQ. Oauy Ho accordingly seated himself at the tablo and commenced the perusal of the extraordinary dacu ment that will be found in the ensuing chapter, CHAPTER CLXXXVIUII. THD CONFESSIONS OF A LUNATIC. “Niy*blood has been boiling like a lava-stream, It appears tome as if I can now freoly respire the fresh air, after having only breathed by gasps, What agony, then, has it been that has thus convulsed my soul ?—of what kind was the anguish which has left such strange and unnatural sensations behind ? Havo I just awakened from a reverie of burning thoughts and appalling visions ?—or was there any truth in tho-hideous things which seem to have passed like a frightful phantasmagoria through my brain? What means this suffocating sob that has struggled upward, and as it were spontancously from my breast? O God! it appears to me now as .if the wildest—most maniacal ideas have crowded into volumes, but become compressed into instants ! Do I rave?—am J really here—in 2 room olegantly furnished—and seated at this table, writing? Is the bright sun-light streaming in at tho open case- ment?—and does the breeze penetrate into the chamber, fanning my feverish cheek and throb- bing brow, and wafting to me the delicious per- fume of flowers? Is al} this true—or a dream? Am I still a denizen of the earth,—that carth of which I scem for some time to havo lost all forget- fulness—dwelling during the interval in a chaos peopled with horrible images—ghastly spectres— frightful beings of nondescript shape? Oh, I re- member—I found this paper, this pen, and this ink in that largo and massive ward-robe so exquisitely carved ;---and something tells me that there aro per- sons watching my movements—spying my actions—- and who will be angry with me—pevrhaps iil-treat mc—if they bohold me writing down my ideas. Oh! Tam afraid—~I am afraid. My God! where am I? There is a hurry in my brain — my blood again begins to boil—my hand trembles as I write. But wherefore do I writeat all? I know not:—and yet it seems to do me good! “If any persons—any of those mon whom I re- member to have seen just now—should endeavour to enter the room, I will hide my papers in yonder ward-robe. Or elso under the bed ?—or between the mattresses? No: in that ward-robo—it is the safest place, I feel confident. “But why should I not go forth and walk in that garden which I can see from the window ?— or else penctrate into the ficlds at a great distance, and lic down and think ? If the breeze coming into this room, does me good, how much more refreshed should I fecl were [ to ramble about in the open country! Yes—lI will go. “What does uhis mean? I have tried the door —and itis locked! Who dares to treat me thus— me—a gentloman of birth and fortune? I will not endure such conduct: [ wil! appeal to my brother, the raagistrate, for protection, Te shall hang the wretches who have perpetrated this in- solence. “OQ God! whatdoIsco? There are bars at the window! Great heavens! I shall go mad! a ® x * & c (C(O) (C DOO <S LL (SO)